Not quite a horder - decluttering

Anonymous

I actually sold a lot of "stuff" just hanging around the house on ebay 2007/2008 (before dx).  Made about $700. total.  It's easier if there aren't 10,000 similar items for sale there.  I would sell my son's college textbooks as soon as he finished the course so kids were still using them.  Also knick-knacks or clothing items that were a little different.  You do need good pictures and don't expect to make gads of money on ebay unless you have, and can prove, that an item is really valuable (Like the $7000.00 first edition).  One of my co-workers had me list a designer dress she bought for $450.00.  She wanted a minimum of $275. which is highly unlikely on ebay because people want really, really, really cheap prices.

But it could be fun if you have the time.  Cost to list is very little (usually under $1.00); buyer pays for shipping so if I net $6.75 for an inexpensive item that is just sitting, then it's out of my house.

Wonderland

 It's a cold and rainy day here - perfect day for decluttering!

Just finished going through the 2 bathrooms we have. Tossed an assortment of ancient half filled bottles, medicines, etc.

Then I went through a drawer of old cards from various occasions. I saved only a few that really meant something to me and put the rest in the recycling box.

There's a closet in the kitchen that I've been avoiding, also The Basement (it's not that bad for clutter, just needs a thorough cleaning with a broom and cleaning up), the other half of the garage.........

Thanks for the motivation and keep at it ladies!

Teka

^..^

voraciousreader

Just read a fashion book and the author had a great idea about your cast offs. She recommends an annual swap party with your close friends. What a great idea! And for young mothers with little ones... Brilliant!

o2bhealthy

wonder - you are braver then I am.  I have 10 Tupperware bins (each one a little larger than a shoe box) sorted with various types of cards (birthday cards, get well cards, cards from mom and dad, cards from my best friend, cards from the kids, cards from DH...) I love going through my card boxes every once and a while to remember things.   Just the other day I came across a get well card from my great grandparents from 1977 for my appendectomy.  They are long gone but it was so nice to 'hear' their voices again.  I have also come across letters that break my heart when I read how some of the decisions in my youth hurt people but I was to blind to see it...

I also have bins for my kids art work and special school work.  My photo albums are sorted by year and everyone in the house has their own album with school photos and accomplishments...

Oh No!!!! I think I may be a hoarder...

Teka

^..^

Wonderland

O2b: please do yourself a huge favor and TEAR UP the harmful letters you are keeping! How painful that must be to read them. IN THE TRASH THEY MUST GO!!!

If I lived closer I would come over right now and do the job for you. I'm serious!

Teka

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o2bhealthy

You all are so sweet in suggesting I toss the sad letters.  I thank you for jumping to my defense and for all the support.  Those sad letters are a part of my past.  They help me remember my childhood, who I was and how far I have come.  I have huge gaps in my memory from early childhood to mid teens.  Granted alot of those gaps are good to have but along with the bad memories there were also some good ones worth remembering.  I need those cards and letters to help me remember, pictures too.  The sad part is this memory issue has followed me into my adult life (my DH is sooooo lucky) after a few years I forget details, sometimes I even forget big events. I have actually had huge arguments with my family over stuff they say happened and I just don't remember.  Hell in a few years I'll probably have forgotten I ever had cancer (wishful thinking - there are just to many scars). 

Teka

^..^

o2bhealthy

Teka that would be a really good trick

suzwes

Wow, with DIL's help, got many items organized on Saturday.  Three huge boxes of garage sale items (which she priced) and three huge bags of trash.  DH teased that the garbage men we're going to start boycotting our house because of all the heavy garbage bags we've been putting out at the curb.

We found some of my get well cards this weekend from when I was going through surgery and chemo.  They weren't sad per se but I was sad because I don't remember receiving or reading over half of them.  I was so out of it, I can't believe all the nice words and cards.

Teka

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Meece

Wow!  I started a new job today and boy does that office need some TLC and decluttering.  I really can't make any changes until I become permanent in 12 weeks, but it is something to look forward to.

Teka

^..^

Meece

It was too funny when my boss told me they had to squeeze a lot of files in the cabinets, so the drawers don't say what is really in them.  I asked "But they could, right?"  He nodded as if he never thought of that!

Teka

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Bukki

   Just found this tread tonight...it is wonderful! I have started my own de-cluttering of a closet in guest room this week and found some boxes stuffed in back that have been there NINE years and not opened since we moved to this house. I have a friend who says "cinch by the inch, hard by the yard".....so I am going to work on one area a week until I get through the whole house....I have already gotten rid of two boxes and three trash bags...I guess it didn't accumulate overnight...but it does seem to reproduce itself when no one is looking.....thanks ladies for all the tips. Will try to keep you posted on my progress.

GramE

The website FlyLady.com has some very useful tips.   Yes, it did not get this way overnight and it will not get undone over night.   One hint I often used was set a kitchen timer for 15 minutes and tackle one job.   You can do most anything, including cleaning toilets... for 15 minutes.    

Since I live alone (widow) I used to leave clean laundry piled in clothes baskets.  Kept buying new baskets instead of sorting and folding and putting away.   One day I did the 15 minutes and just about got it all put away.    Not sure if it is laziness or procrastination or whatever, but  bit by bit it you can make a dent in it.    

Yesterday I did 3 15 minutes spurts of sorting summer clothes.   All done now and pile to donate to Salvation Army and closet is nice and organized.     

GramE

PS, and YES, I have way too many clothes... still.

agada

Hello,

Oh thank god I am not the only person this has happened to!  Thank you for the decluttering advice, I am slowly, slowly, starting to declutter my house. Boy does my office space need it as well. Too many papers on breast cancer. I have  Just junk taking up space.  I especially like the clothes hanger technique since I am a clothes horse.  Ive put weight on since taking steroids and debate as to getting rid of tight clothes or wating on weight loss.  I know the weight will come off, it has to.  Thanks for the web site.

Agada

Teka

^..^

suzwes

I second Teka - welcome to everyone.  FYI - I finally put the fly lady website at the top of the page - I thought I had already done that!  It's there now.

I really like the 15 minutes of a task.  It breaks up the chore.  I'll be at my computer too long and then realize I need to be productive so I'll set the timer and do 15 minutes of chores and then I get to go back to my computer.  I've also been known to declutter during commercials if I'm watching a TV show.  Do all you can during the commercial - it works really well (if you remember to do it)

Teka

^..^

spendygirl

Hi all - one of my biggest problems is clothes.  I have so many clothes that unfortunately I can't fit into any more and just can't give them away.  I don't know if I see dollar signs at the money I've spent or if I hope I'll get back into them one day?  It's so stupid to keep them...they're just taking up too much room and reminding me of the size I used to be.  Anyone else???

suzwes

Hi Spendygirl,

I used to have that problem too then someone (like Dr. Phil or Oprah or someone like that) said to get rid of the clothes that don't fit anymore. I can't remember the rationale but my rationale was that if I was ever larger or smaller those clothes wouldn't be in style anymore so I might as well get rid of them and buy new ones if I needed to.  I will admit that I keep one pair of jeans, one pair of dress slacks and one dress in my larger size in case I gain more weight but that's better than the whole wardrobe.  I hope someone else chimes in with their story.

Teka, I think my husband and yours must have gone to the same house cleaning school!

Teka

^..^

bluewillowskys

i am currently doing my Spring celaning and regrettedly sent a bunch to good will last month pre-diagnosis. I wish now I had kept my ex-hubby-to-bes stuff and mine to add to my yard sale. We are going to be having a yard/bake sale combined wiht a Dog Wash to raise funds for a local cancer charity group. All the funds stay in our county and go directly to cancer paients. I already put in an application to recieve help with transportation to my radiation treatments.

and YES I will admit I am an OCD Hoarder, not to the extent they show on tv shows, but an emotional hoarder none the less....LOL

Meece

American Cancer society paid me a bit for mileage to my treatments.  I hope you get the help you need, bluewillowsky.

Now that I have less time at home, I REALLY miss the opportunity to to stuff around the house.  I have got to get myself on task and maybe do two 15 minute stints a day at whitling away at my clutter.

GramE

Good for you meece, getting a start.   Remember it did not get that way over night, so it "ain't" getting undone over night...!!!    

IF only someone had told me about the cleaning crew for cancer patients...  4 rounds of dose dense AC then 12 rounds of Taxol and Herceptin.   I got very reduced curb to curb van transport (they do not call it door to door) and reduced parking stickers for when I could drive myself.    If you do not ask, they cannot say no, and they might even say yes !!    

The yard -bake -dog wash sounds like fun, blue (can I abbreviate ?).  Fingers are stiff this morning and after cataract surgery on Monday, I will get to the hand surgeon for evaluation of the many nodes sprouting on my fingers.     

My next project is going to be taking slacks, capris, or other bottoms and match up with 2 tops, sweaters, blouses and put the others aside for possible donation.   From time to time I have found a person who needed nicer clothes for job/work and/or who was on/in hard times.   The women's shelter is always appreciative of clothing and shoes.   Don't forget to get a donation receipt for tax deduction.  

Have a good day, don't work too hard, enjoy, relax, Hugs, Nancy